Friday, September 28, 2007
Update: The Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act
I wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know about some real successes we've seen recently in the Senate on behalf of veterans and their families.
As I alerted you to last month, I have been working hard for more than a year, along with Rep. Leonard Boswell, to pass the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act. This bill — which is named for a soldier from Grundy Center who took his own life after returning from Iraq — directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to step up screening, counseling and other mental health services for returning war veterans. Under Rep. Boswell's leadership, the bill passed the House 423-0 and was on its way to passage in the Senate when, out of the blue, a single Senator objected to it.
I am now very happy to inform you that after months of work on behalf of veterans across the nation, I was able to convince the Senator to drop his objections with only a few small changes to the legislation, and the bill was passed unanimously by the Senate.
Memories of combat haunt many of the brave men and women who have served our country. We have a responsibility to our veterans to make sure they have access to the mental health care they deserve. I look forward to seeing the President sign this critical bill into law to ensure that programs are in place to meet the needs of all veterans.
Another important measure that will support our soldiers and their families also passed the Senate this week. Portions of the legislation I introduced earlier this year, the Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families bill, were added to the Defense Authorization Bill. This legislation will increase support for families of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially members of the National Guard and Reserve.
I was inspired to introduce this bill after the President decided to escalate the number of troops deployed in Iraq. Soon thereafter, more than 600 Iowa soldiers with the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard were notified that their combat tours in Anbar Province would be extended to 16 months. I received scores of anguished letters and calls from their family members, who were already struggling — largely in isolation — with the stress of having their loved ones deployed in one of the most violent regions of Iraq. These calls and letters made me realize that, while active duty families benefit from a number of family support programs, Guard and Reserve families do not have access to the same services, despite the fact that the Guard and Reserves are shouldering a significant burden of our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
My legislation works to strengthen the family assistance program and ensures that there are adequate resources for Guard and Reserve families throughout the deployment cycle. This important legislation will provide vital assistance for our military families.
As a veteran myself, I believe that our government has a sacred, moral contract with those who have fought for our country and sacrificed so much, as well as their families. I am happy that we are working towards restoring the faith of our active duty military. We must continue to give them the care and support they deserve.
